United States Ryder Cup team profile (Part 1)
Captain Corey Pavin has announced his four wildcard picks, thus completing the US Ryder team selection. Eight of the players had qualified automatically due to their Ryder cup points, leaving four for the captain to choose. This decision has been difficult for the European captain Colin Montgomerie and Pavin alike. It’s a lot of pressure and the way the players complement each other is a crucial aspect of game. Now would be a good time to see what the American’s have got in store and review the team.
World number two has emerged as number one in the Ryder Standings. That’s right, Phil Mickelson is ready for his eighth Ryder cup. Making his debut in 1995, Phil would be definitely used to the Ryder experience by now. The 40 year old golfer has had 38 Major victories and he has an amazing short game. Using his creativity and skill, Mickelson is always sure to get out danger when tee shots go awry. The left-handed golfer has won 4 majors. His win drive started from the 2004 US Masters and he clinched his third green jacket at Augusta National in April. Since he is one place below Tiger Woods, Phil has missed many opportunities to replace him. Woods, who has not been playing his best due to his personal life, needs to be extra efficient in the Ryder cup.
Another player, Hunter Mahan, is selected. He is at number 13 in the world rankings. Having played in the Ryder cup once before, he has had 3 Major victories. His Ryder cup record is 2-0-3. Mahan made sure of his place in the team after winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last month. Hunter was victorious by two strokes over Ryan Palmer in Ohio; this marked his biggest victory yet. The 28 year old has represented America in two president cups. He was a very talented amateur before turning professional in 2003. Mahan really enjoys golf and is able to shoot very low scores. Surely, Captain Pavin has added the best to his team.
Bubba Watson is yet another player in the US Ryder cup team. Ranked 25 in the world, Watson has had 25 PGA tour victories. Not having won any majors, this 31 year old finished second at last month’s PGA Championship. This triumph led the self-coached player to secure a spot in the Ryder team. Bubba, who is known to be one of the longest hitters in the game, won his first PGA tour title in June at the Travellers Championship. He has always wanted to go through the Ryder experience and with the 2010 Ryder cup to be his debut one, Bubba is very excited.
Also in the team is Jim Furyk who is ranked number 5 in the world. Furyk has had five PGA Tour victories and 15 Major victories. He has competed in six Ryder cups. Also taking part in the FedEx cup, Jim really caught the media’s attention when he was disqualified from the Barclay’s tournament. Apparently, the 40 year old golfer's phone died and he couldn’t wake up in time to attend his pro-am tee time. We really hope Furyk remembers to be in time for Ryder cup.
Steve Stricker also automatically qualified for the list to play the Ryder cup for the second time. Known as one of the best putters in golf, Stricker has competed in the last three President Cups. Last year he cooperated with Tiger Woods very smoothly at Harding Park. His biggest victory was when he won the 2001 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. He has been victorious on the 2010 PGA Tour two times. Along with Phil Mickelson, Woods also needs to be cautious of Stricker. World number four did have a chance to be number one if he won the Deutsche Bank championship again. That was if Tiger Woods finished outside the top 9 and Mickleson wasn’t better than the fourth position. However, things didn’t quite work out how Stricker wanted. He really has his hopes on Ryder cup to show the world what he’s got.
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